Quick Thoughts: Dolphins knock off Panthers
by Matty I on Aug 23, 2009 2:32 AM EDT
in News
63 comments
The Dolphins improved to 2-0 in the preseason with a solid 27-17 victory over the Panthers on Saturday night. You can check out the box score for the game right here. Since Sunday is a slower day for the blog, I'll just post some quick thoughts today. Look for my usual longer post about the game on Monday.
- It's always good when you can out-play a very good football team. And that's exactly what the Dolphins did on Saturday night. Miami's first-team offense and defense played better than the Panthers' first-teamers. And the Panthers were a very good football team last season. So this was certainly a game that featured more positives than negatives for the Dolphins - but there were both, of course.
- It was nice to see some of the basic 'Wildcat' plays from last season dusted off and used. But don't expect to see any new 'Wildcat' plays during the preseason. The Dolphins will surely hold off on using them in meaningless games.
- Ronnie Brown looked very good tonight. He ran the ball well and didn't show any of the hesitation that we saw at times from Ronnie last year. And he caught the ball well, too.
- Overall, the Dolphins offensive line looked much improved over last week - which is a very encouraging sign. And that's especially true about the first-team line.
- The rush defense was excellent. Outside of DeAngelo Williams' TD run - which came courtesy of three or four broken tackles, Williams was held to just 15 yards on 7 carries. And even on that TD run, if the Dolphins wrap up and make the play like they should have, DeAngelo gains nothing. That makes two solid performances stopping the run by the first-team defense.
- Chad Pennington was classic Pennington. And his numbers would even look better if Davone Bess doesn't drop that perfect throw from CP for what would have been a big gain. Davone, the most sure-handed receiver on the roster, probably won't drop too many more this year. And if he's going to drop any, the preseason is a good time to do it.
- Brandon Fields has a booming leg.
- I hope no fans broke their ankles when jumping off the Chris Williams bandwagon tonight. That emptied in a hurry, didn't it?
Like I said, we'll have much more on this game on Monday and all week. In the meantime, let's hope Sean Smith and Jason Allen get better quickly.
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Chris Williams
The Chris WIlliams Band Wagon’s wheels just fell off! Other than that I haven’t been able to watch the games over here in Iraq, but did follow the thread and ESPN’s gamecast. Damnnnn we need our d-backs back right away! Things are sounding promising for the season though! GO FINS!
by usnavydolphan on Aug 23, 2009 2:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
To be honest ... it was going to be hard to keep him anyway....
Think about the numbers … it really wasn’t going to be easy to keep him. We have too many good ball players to keep… he is a player with a lot of positives… but he has some glaring negatives… a kick/punt returner that can’t catch a kick/punt is a bad thing…. he just made the decision that much easier…. Davone Bess + Ted Ginn Jr…… I think we will still be ok…
by Jason Scott_90 on Aug 23, 2009 7:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
at least
he proved that it’s impossible to catch a football with your facemask.
by NC Mike on Aug 23, 2009 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
.... I don't think that's what the coach meant when he said... 'keep your eyes on the ball'
Adjutant General, Matty Fan Club
64 "Phinsider Fued" Points..!!
"What's the point of getting in a sword fight with a guy you can run away from?" - Chris Doleman
by Alpha6 on Aug 23, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
unles this is Necessary Roughness...
and its Featherstone doing the receiving.
“no! don’t throw it to Stonehands!”
-CP10 as Paul Blake.
-Samson Satele coulda been ManuManu the Slender.
-Joey Porter as Andre Krimm. “Andre doesn’t eat red meat, because Andre is a vegetarian.” “eat whatever you want. Andre.”
-and i might be wrong, but DC$ definitely ain’t no Kathy Ireland.
we went out for pizza after the game. -dave wannstedt
by BULLieving in Miami on Aug 23, 2009 3:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, after watching the game, Williams didn't actually do all that bad.
There was the one muff, but other than that he didn’t really make any big mistakes. But what went against him is that he didn’t break any big runs.
While I am not much of a bandwagoner, i really would like to see us find a return man that threatens to take it to the house every time he is back there. And the problem seems to be that no one else looks to be that guy either. They tried Armstrong back there. They tried Hartline back there. And Bess once again. None of those guys did better than Williams this week.
So I would have to guess that Williams will get another shot at it in the next game.
-LCFF
by LeftCoastFinFan on Aug 23, 2009 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
totally agree
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by Mosul_DolFan on Aug 23, 2009 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i thought ginn was a great return man
Self-proclaimed president of the Pat White and Brian Hartline fan club.
by samdaman on Aug 24, 2009 7:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he was allright in the NFL, too
Self-proclaimed president of the Pat White and Brian Hartline fan club.
by samdaman on Aug 25, 2009 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Vontae Davis also had a solid showing
I was surprised that wasn’t included.
Ted Ginn is the man.
by topspin on Aug 23, 2009 2:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
yea, i was impressed
Self-proclaimed president of the Pat White and Brian Hartline fan club.
by samdaman on Aug 23, 2009 7:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ditto
i was really happy to see him step up
-LCFF
by LeftCoastFinFan on Aug 23, 2009 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
a good night for Davis
a less nervous Davis, for sure.
by Rennie85 on Aug 23, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Our O-Line seemed much better last night.
Your best? Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and fuck the prom queen! -Sean Connery
by Kdog92 on Aug 23, 2009 5:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
yes it did.
i replayed all the line play in the first half, in slo-mo. They are an extremely athletic bunch for such big guys. Thomas and Smiley are solid pulling.
ALSO, did anyone see Berger on the KickOff team??? How funny is that to see a big man running down on kick coverage!
-LCFF
by LeftCoastFinFan on Aug 23, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chad Henne, Cameron Wake, Vontae?
I will watch today at 1. Eager to find out how some of these future stars played. What happened on the second half to outscore 17-3. Nice!
I am feeling this season big time… versatile offense and tough defense. The problem is that we are not going to sneak up on anyone of the tough schedule after beating Atlanta and Indy out of he gate!
by Fins4evr72 on Aug 23, 2009 5:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If we beat them, everyone in the NFL will be stunned, on how much we improved.
Your best? Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and fuck the prom queen! -Sean Connery
by Kdog92 on Aug 23, 2009 5:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
we still have to show em who's boss, dont we?
Self-proclaimed president of the Pat White and Brian Hartline fan club.
by samdaman on Aug 23, 2009 7:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anyone think Hilliard can make the team?
Your best? Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and fuck the prom queen! -Sean Connery
by Kdog92 on Aug 23, 2009 5:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I say we go with 4 RB.
Hilliard looks too good to let go. I’m thinking a perfect replacement for Ricky after this year.
by luvs2drnk on Aug 23, 2009 7:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dont know
Myabe we can list him as a backup FB?
Current Phinsider Feud Points: 23
by Patssuck456 on Aug 23, 2009 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
*Maybe
Current Phinsider Feud Points: 23
by Patssuck456 on Aug 23, 2009 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No reason to.
I don’t know of any rule that says you can’t have 4 HBs. I was for keeping 6 WRs, but I say drop one and keep Hilliard.
by luvs2drnk on Aug 23, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really don't think he can beat out Cobbs
Short of a move to FB, I don’t see a way … he would have to beat out Lousaka Polite though… we have too much talent at RB… thats not a horrible problem to have… but if you look at the blocking on that big play… it was awesome at the point of attack … there are probably 2 dozen guys that could have made that run but have no team… I just hope we can get something for him….
by Jason Scott_90 on Aug 23, 2009 7:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
just reading from comments frm last night... seems everyone loves hilliard just want to trade him tho
seems a little perverse no? man that guy is awesome, lets trade him. I say u keep him. cobbs is awesome. hilliard seems to be a big hard runner. no real harm in keeping him outside of taking up a roster spot for wr/defense. pats had 3rb and still were out in offseason getting rbs. at the very least, he can take c williams spot on the bubble at this point.
by lcsonka39 on Aug 23, 2009 8:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Props to Penny
Still the leader. Also, Henne looked more relaxed. But I think the biggest improvement was in the O-line play. Our guys looked mid-season. But what happened to Teddy Ginn? He was a no show. Much the same as game-to-game last year. And Hilliard had two nice games so far. But Chris Williams may be on a very short leash….and Go Vontae, you are the mannn!
Hurry up and get well Sean and Jason.
just some thoughts
Wide right again! Another graduate of the Norwood school for problematic kickers.....
by PhearThePhinzz on Aug 23, 2009 7:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
As for Chris Williams....
As soon as I saw the ball hit him right in the facemask, all I could think was…….You just lost your job buddy.
I was a little disappointed with the limits we have with Pennington. Had Henne been running that flea flicker from the Wildcat, it would have been a TD for Cobbs. The wobbler Pennington threw was horrible. Luckily Cobbs was wide open, and had all day to wait for it.
by luvs2drnk on Aug 23, 2009 8:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Henne
Had Henne been in he would have over thrown Cobbs, just like he did to Wilford and Turner on long passes. Henne has a really strong arm, he just needs to get more acurate with it. That will come.
by Dolphriend on Aug 23, 2009 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd rather have overthrows,
then watch the ball float in the air forever, only to wind up being underthrown and intercepted.
by luvs2drnk on Aug 23, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hey does any one know where i can watch the highlights of this game except for nfl.com coz it dont work. thanks
by .mg on Aug 23, 2009 10:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Pat Turner
Might be leading the team in dropped passes.
by okokokaay on Aug 23, 2009 11:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hilliard
I haven’t been able to watch yet (I’m live in NJ), but I’m reading nothing but good things about Hilliard. I love Ricky Williams and want to see him around for at least this year, but with the way that Hilliard and Cobbs are playing, is there any chance that the Trifecta will choose to cut Ricky to keep younger and very promising talent around?
by Les on Aug 23, 2009 11:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
ONE MORE YEAR UNTIL THE HENNE ERA
kinda feels like the upcoming heat season…i’ll be there but already looking forward to the next season
by WHOLETRUTHY on Aug 23, 2009 11:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
that makes no sense..
its WAYYYYYYYYYYY diffrent. This season is no throw away….believe that.
Phinsider Hall of Fame Class of 09' / 2-Time 09' Matty Award Winner
by Rzayo24 on Aug 23, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no season is a throw away
we learned that last year
Self-proclaimed president of the Pat White and Brian Hartline fan club.
by samdaman on Aug 23, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No way Ricky gets cut
Think about what you get for the money. Hopefully they will find a way to squeeze Hilliard onto the roster – if we cut him he gets snatched up for sure!
by usnavydolphan on Aug 23, 2009 11:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hilliard could be what Ricky is to Ronnie now
It would be wise to keep him, a lot of potential in Hilliard. Be a shame to let him go, then, when ricky retires, use draft picks looking for another RB.
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by DolfinPhan on Aug 23, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hilliard might be a player with a future...
…somewhere. That the trifecta has kept him this long speaks of his value to us …or someone else in trade.
There is NO WAY he is what Ricky is to Ronnie.
Ricky is someone Ronnie looks up to. He is vet leadership to the whole team. His work ethic and quiet “walk softly and carry big stick” attitude is something that helps all the young guys see what it means to be a man in the NFL.
You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four.
-Dan Birdwell
by snook36 on Aug 23, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he was comparing the different running styles.
Ronnie is more of a make you miss running back, while Ricky and Hilliard are run you over type backs. Hilliard is too young to be considered a mentor for anyone.
by luvs2drnk on Aug 23, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Everybody shortchanges RunRickyRun. Everyone seems to forget that he has 2 years less wear, tear & hits on him than his age suggests.
Attorney General of the Matty I Fan Club
by PhinsTifosi on Aug 23, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Before I jump on the keep Hilliard bandwagon, I want to see him run against a starting D.
Not just base it on how he does against 2nd & 3rd stringers. In regular season NO one is gonna put their 2nd & 3rd string D on the field all at once unless their starters all go down!
Attorney General of the Matty I Fan Club
by PhinsTifosi on Aug 23, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i dunno bout that
ronnie is pretty much a “plow you over” type back.
2009 is a year of respect ladies and gentlemen. Lets get it.
by MrMedic on Aug 23, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
thats y i luv em
Self-proclaimed president of the Pat White and Brian Hartline fan club.
by samdaman on Aug 23, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It is interesting and way fun to watch the roster shape up....
LOL!!!!!…. ‘broken ankles jumping off the bandwagon’…… man, that thing was on fire!!!!!
Adjutant General, Matty Fan Club
64 "Phinsider Fued" Points..!!
"What's the point of getting in a sword fight with a guy you can run away from?" - Chris Doleman
by Alpha6 on Aug 23, 2009 2:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Why won't anyone say that Pennington cost his team points!
Cobbs was WIDE OPEN and Pennington underthrew him by so much the defense was able to tackle him at the 10 yd line. It should have been an EASY TD!
Chad Pennington was classic Pennington. And his numbers would even look better if Davone Bess doesn’t drop that perfect throw from CP for what would have been a big gain.
Maybe if Pennington could throw the ball more than 30 yds his numbers would have been better because he would have had another TD!
by ct1361 on Aug 23, 2009 2:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Then you have to apply that principle to every play.
Armchair QB's always complete the pass and armchair coaches always pick the right players.
Yes, Larry Little is still the man.
by Tunaflipper on Aug 23, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just want the conversation to be consistent.
Ricky Williams drops a pass in the end zone, we call him out on it. Williams lets the ball hit him in the head, we call him out on it. Apply the same thing to Pennington.
In less than 3 quarters of football this preseason, Pennington has cost the phins 11 points. Against Jax he severly underthrew a wide open Ted Ginn on a fly pattern that would have been a TD if Pennington could have gotten him the ball. (Instead it was a pass interference). Against Carolina, Pennington underthrew a wide open Cobbs. The pass was completed but because it was so underthrown, Cobbs was tackled on the 10 yd line. The drive stall and the phins had to settle on a FG. That is 11 points!
by ct1361 on Aug 23, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ahh, I see what your saying.
Well, there are some knights who will surround the King till the bitter end -but we all know how that story goes…
But we (I’m not a knight, more of a mud farmer) don’t call for Ricky’s head because of a dropped pass. And Williams is a little different being a young squire. We are watching for his mistakes on the parade ground to see how he fares in future battles. Methinks the oversensitivity is that for every ball that’s thrown short come the “off with his head!” calls. So that gallant charge back.
So until Lancelot er,,,, Henne makes his play, we have our King. And our King may not have the biggest lance but he’s our King.
Armchair QB's always complete the pass and armchair coaches always pick the right players.
Yes, Larry Little is still the man.
by Tunaflipper on Aug 23, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes maybe this way of thinking is true to a point..
however how many of those great choices and whatnot may have been intercepted or over thrown or something if Henne was running the offense? You can think of it both ways. Sure Penne cannot throw the 40 yarder well.. and Henne is the future QB here.. but he is not ready yet. Its that simple. We have a better chance of winning more games right now with CP10 then Henne.
CP10 is the current leader of this team... respect the man
Henne is the future leader of this team...
Beck could have been.. its a shame he was thrown to the wolves unpreped
Driver of the Bess, Camarillo, Hartline fan club bus.. hop on and enjoy the ride!
JT.. Porter.. Wake.. gona getcha !
by MainePhinFan on Aug 23, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
agree 100%
there is some sort of standard around here that the lame duck Jet can do no wrong….
Now i’ll agree with matty that bess should have caught that pass, but if you look at it again on replay (it’ll be playing all week) that ball took so long to get there (and was a floater) that Bess peaks and sees the saftey measuring him for a casket… yes he should have caught it, but the guy did fear for his life.
Chad Pennington - The Lame Ducker aka the progress stopper.
So do you think the Jets intentionally did it to set the organization back 3 years or was it just an unintended side effect of their move.
by W NY Fins Fan on Aug 25, 2009 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, it kinda sucked having to follow along on the NFL site,
while fellow Phinsider’s we’re commenting just ahead of it. But it’s all I got and being down in McAllen, TX working, I’m lucky I got anything at all…
Armchair QB's always complete the pass and armchair coaches always pick the right players.
Yes, Larry Little is still the man.
by Tunaflipper on Aug 23, 2009 2:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
no body mentions that steve smith and mohammad didn't play....
defense looked good but i wouldn’t exactly say it was ALL of our first team D vs. carolina’s first squad. it was easy load up on deangelo with them out…..
by CaliPhinsFan on Aug 23, 2009 4:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
... so what? That's their mistake...
… and I don’t think Steve woulda got any MORE running lanes…. nor Mo get more catches.
… their loss, period.
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64 "Phinsider Fued" Points..!!
"What's the point of getting in a sword fight with a guy you can run away from?" - Chris Doleman
by Alpha6 on Aug 23, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
thats tru
Self-proclaimed president of the Pat White and Brian Hartline fan club.
by samdaman on Aug 23, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
but we could shut em down anyway
Self-proclaimed president of the Pat White and Brian Hartline fan club.
by samdaman on Aug 23, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
tackling
Anybody besides me a little unsettled by our tackling, thus far? I saw too many missed tackles in the first game from people failing to wrap up and finish it off. Same thing on Williams’ big play in this game.
I understand the reasoning behind Sparano having players not finish tackles in practice — keep guys healthy, etc. — but when you practice not finishing tackles, you tend to get good at it.
by urbino on Aug 23, 2009 9:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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